What does the term "staging" refer to in rocketry?

Staging in rocketry refers specifically to the process of jettisoning rocket sections after their fuel is expended. This technique is crucial for achieving higher altitudes and velocities in multi-stage rockets. Once a stage of the rocket completes its burn and the fuel is depleted, that stage is detached or "jettisoned" to reduce weight. This allows the remaining stages to operate more efficiently as they are no longer burdened by the dead weight of the spent stages, leading to better performance and higher speeds as the rocket ascends.

Understanding this concept is essential for advanced rocketry, as it optimizes the vehicle's mass and thrust. Each stage is engineered to provide the necessary thrust to reach different phases of flight, making staging a fundamental design principle in the development of powerful launch vehicles.